Echo-time dependence of observed lung T1 in COPD patients: preliminary results

T1-quantification in the lungs has been demonstrated as a functional tool, especially for oxygen-enhanced imaging. Recently, free-breathing UTE-based methods were introduced to improve lung T1-quantification. This revealed a TE-dependency of measured lung T1, which was attributed to compartimentalisation effects more complex than previously assumed. Since this effect, which is seen best using UTE, reflects tissue composition, it may be of value in the diagnosis of diseases which affect the lung parenchyma. The purpose of this work was to examine this effect in COPD patients. 20 patients with COPD were examined u…